Australia’s premier festival of comedy, wine and wildly good times – Comedy in the Vines is back, and it’s trading Victoria’s riverbanks for Yarra Valley’s rolling orchards.
Comedy in the Vines returns from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 October with a new home in Victoria’s iconic Yarra Valley, setting up camp at the stunning CherryHill Orchards for a jam-packed weekend of laughter, live music, cellar door tastings and good old-fashioned grape-based hedonism.
Leading the charge in 2025 is an Australian exclusive performance from UK comedy sensation Michelle De Swarte, alongside Hot Dub Time Machine, the world’s original time-travelling dance party, bringing a huge Friday night orchard party to the Yarra Valley. They’re joined by a powerhouse comedy lineup including Tommy Little, Nazeem Hussain, Peter Helliar, Zoë Coombs Marr, and more, with a full weekend of live music, wine tastings, and world-class comedy set amongst the vines.
Running Friday 24 to Sunday 26 October, the world’s largest comedy and wine festival once again brings together a barrel-full of the country’s best comedians, paired with world-class wine, an amazing music lineup, and the festival’s signature “don’t-take-yourself-too-seriously” spirit.
In a major coup for the festival, Comedy in the Vines 2025 will host the Australian exclusive performance from UK comedy star, Michelle De Swarte. A former model turned razor-sharp comic, Michelle has earned international acclaim with her viral Live at the Apollo set, a sold-out UK tour (culminating in two huge shows at London’s Hackney Empire), and as creator/star of the darkly hilarious SBS/BBC series Spent. In between sold-out shows in Edinburgh and Cardiff, she’ll detour to the Yarra for one night only.
Joining the party is Hot Dub Time Machine, the world’s original time-travelling dance party. Fusing hits from every era into one epic, genre-hopping journey, Hot Dub has rocked Coachella, Tomorrowland, Splendour, and beyond. Now he’s bringing his high-voltage set to the Yarra Valley for one huge Friday night orchard rave — expect nostalgia, neon, and nothing short of the best party ever.
All this and still Comedy in the Vines will assemble the most iconic array of comedians ever seen in Australia, including:
- Tommy Little – One of the country’s biggest names and a wildcard both on and off stage.
- Nazeem Hussain – Fresh off another international tour and Netflix special.
- Peter Helliar – National comedy icon with two decades of TV and stand-up behind him- Needs no introduction!
- Zoë Coombs Marr– One of Australia’s most decorated and critically acclaimed comedians.
- Sammy J – Back after hosting Playground Politics, hosting ABC Melbourne breakfast and touring the world with his purple puppet.
- Anisa Nandaul – The breakout Gen Z star of Talkin’ ’Bout Your Generation and Taskmaster.
- Nath Valvo– High energy, high kicks, and unmatched laughs-per-minute delivery.
- Sam Taunton – Host on The Project until the show got the boot!
Plus, International favourites joining the lineup include:
- Ivan Aristeguieta (VNZ) – Crowd favourite across Australia with his infectious charm and stories of cultural crossover.
- Abby Howells (NZ) – a special trip across the ditch from the award-winning playwright and comedian with a PhD in Theatre Studies
- Ray O’Leary (NZ) – Known for his iconic deadpan delivery and regular appearances on HYBPA, Thank God You’re Here, and The Cheap Seats.
- Takashi Wakasugi (JPN) – Star of Taskmaster Australia, Takashi is a rising force in Aussie comedy with a cult following and a style all his own.
Plus, there is still so much more, including Bronwyn Kuss (Director’s Choice Award, MICF), Emma Holland (HYBPA, The Cheap Seats), Noah Szto (Best Newcomer, MICF — and an actual doctor), and Dane Simpson, back to MC the chaos after a whirlwind Australian tour.
From stand-ups to sit-downs: In a festival first, comedy legend Judith Lucy joins Merrick Watts onstage for a one-time-only fireside chat, wine in hand. Two of Australia’s most iconic voices sharing a couch, a drink, who knows what will come up in conversation.. but you have been warned!
Adding to the festivities, cabaret star Reuben Kaye will tear the roof off Saturday night with a live band performance that promises to be equal parts fabulous and ferocious, and the one-man jukebox Trevor Jones will take over the piano bar with hits you know and love.
For the oenophile’s, there will be the Meet Your Maker Bar – as the festival teams up with all the legendary winemakers of the Yarra Valley to create a unique experience, were every hour a different winemaker will take over the bar, bringing with them special wines that you can’t taste anywhere else.
Last, but not least, it wouldn’t be Comedy in the Vines without some vineyard-flavoured chaos. The fan-favourite 5km Wine Run returns — because nothing says “fitness” like drinking Riesling between sprints, and over 20 of the region’s best winemakers will pop-up on the Meet Your Maker stage for intimate tastings and masterclasses.
Expect oysters and Riesling shots, gourmet snacks, spontaneous hilarity, and a whole lot of wine-infused joy.
Festival Director Merrick Watts is excited about the move: “The Yarra Valley is one of Australia’s truly elite wine regions. Some of the best winemakers in the world are just a stone’s throw from our new site and we’ve got them all coming down to pour wines, share stories, and raise a glass or three with the best comedians in the biz. It’s a comedy and wine experience you can’t find anywhere else on the planet.”
The complete Comedy in the Vines lineup is:
Comedy in the Vines 2025 Lineup (A–Z)
Michelle De Swarte (UK) – Australian Exclusive
Hot Dub Time Machine
Tommy Little
In Vino Veritas With Judith Lucy
Reuben Kaye With Live Band
Nazeem Hussain
Sammy J
Anisa Nandaula
Merrick Watts
Peter Helliar
Takashi Wakasugi (JPN)
Zoe Coombs Marr
Sam Taunton
Nath Valvo
Ray O’leary (NZ)
Ivan Aristeguieta (VNZ)
Bronwyn Kuss
Emma Holland
Abby Howells (NZ)
Dane Simpson
Noah Szto
More artists, experiences and surprises will be uncorked in the coming weeks.
COMEDY IN THE VINES 2025
Friday 24 to Sunday 26 October
CherryHill Orchards, Coldstream, Yarra Valley
Tickets & info: comedyinthevines.com
Anglo&Celtic 